Experts to focus on player centred approach

GAELIC GAMES/GAA Coaching Conference: The GAA have announced details of their 2006 National Coaching Conference, set for November 24th-26th at Croke Park. With a theme of "Kids, Youths, Adults: A Player Centred Approach to Coaching and Games Development", the coaching conference will bring together leading experts from the worlds of sport, science and education.

Among the top speakers will be Cork's All Ireland winning manager John Allen, former Mayo manager Mickey Moran, Kerry physical trainer Pat Flanagan and National Hurling co-ordinator Paudie Butler.

Prof Niall Moyna of DCU, former Meath footballer Colm O'Rourke, and physiotherapist Ronan Carolan will also be among the 30 experts addressing the conference on issues such as training practices, match analysis, injuries, refereeing and a host of other topics relevant to coaching and games development.

"Children in Ireland are becoming obese at an alarmingly fast rate," stressed Moyna at yesterday's launch in Croke Park. "This is an extremely worrying trend because obese children tend to become obese adults. We know if we engage children in sport at a young age we can halt and reverse this decline so I'm proud to be associated with this conference, which brings together best practice from the worlds of sport, education and science, delivering a practical working partnership."

GAA Head of Games Pat Daly said: "The central theme of this year's conference will emphasise the importance of a player-centred approach to coaching and games development. There has already been huge interest throughout the country in the event, which will also see the unveiling of a new education framework for Gaelic Games, entitled the 'Care for All Foundation'."

Further information on delegate bookings and exhibition opportunities is available by contacting 01 7007578 or by logging on to www.gamesdevelopment.gaa.ie.